are being retained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are being retained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is currently being kept or held onto, often in a passive construction. Example: "The documents are being retained for future reference until the audit is complete."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Only 200 maintenance work ers are being retained.

The New York Times

A Cabinet Office spokesperson said: "There's been no change in policy regarding the files that are being retained.

The Guardian

The operations that are being retained had sales of £1.8bn and profits of £83m in the same period.

The Guardian - Business

While earlier generations of Orthodox Jews defected in large numbers, those in the younger generation are being retained.

The New York Times

"However, rather than adopting an overall identity, the old building society names are being retained as brands or trading divisions.

Independent

A small and select collection of materials are being retained in a climate controlled and secure room in the Law School.

Cornell University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

But then we were stumped that he was being retained.

The Guardian

They told him he was being retained, presumably because of financial reasons.

The New York Times

"This is really where the old Portuguese way of life is being retained".

The New York Times - Travel

"They've got to go in now and declare war," said Mr. Fields, who is being retained as a Republican consultant.

The New York Times

We can say that air pollution is better, the rivers are cleaner, the water is being retained better and soil is being better conserved.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are being retained" when you want to emphasize that a conscious decision has been made to keep something, often after considering alternatives.

Common error

Avoid using "are being retained" when a simpler tense like "are retained" or "are being kept" would suffice. Overusing the continuous form can make your writing sound awkward.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are being retained" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject is receiving the action of being kept or held. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use across various contexts, affirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

33%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are being retained" is a common and grammatically correct passive verb phrase used to indicate that something is currently being kept or held onto. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and offers relevant examples from reputable sources like The New York Times, BBC and The Guardian. While suitable for various contexts, it's particularly prevalent in news, scientific, and academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure that the continuous form is appropriate and not overly formal for the intended audience. Alternatives such as "are being kept" or "are being held" may provide a more direct approach.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are being preserved

Focuses on maintaining something in its original condition.

are being maintained

Emphasizes the ongoing effort to keep something in a specific state.

are being kept

A more general term for holding onto something.

are being conserved

Highlights the careful use and protection of resources.

are being upheld

Focuses on maintaining standards, laws, or principles.

are being safeguarded

Emphasizes the protection of something from harm or loss.

are being sustained

Highlights the continuation of something over time.

are being stored

Focuses on keeping something for future use.

are being stockpiled

Emphasizes accumulating a large quantity of something.

are being amassed

Highlights the gradual gathering of a large quantity of something.

FAQs

How can I use "are being retained" in a sentence?

You can use "are being retained" to indicate that something is currently being kept or held onto. For example, "The documents "are being retained" for future reference until the audit is complete".

What's a simpler way to say "are being retained"?

Alternatives include "are being kept" or "are being held", which can be more direct depending on the context.

Is it better to use "are retained" or "are being retained"?

"Are retained" implies a general state of being kept, while "are being retained" suggests a current or ongoing action of keeping something. The choice depends on whether you're describing a permanent state or a temporary process.

What's the difference between "are being retained" and "are being preserved"?

"Are being retained" suggests simply keeping something, while "are being preserved" implies an effort to maintain something in its original condition. For example, historical documents "are being preserved" to protect them from damage, while records "are being retained" for legal purposes.